2022/02/03 by Charlotte Hodson, Jason K. K. Low, Sylvie van Twest +16 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · #DNA Repair Mechanisms #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry #Holliday junction #Helicase #Bloom syndrome #DNA #Branch migration #Complementation #Genome instability #Genome #Homologous recombination #DNA repair #Computational biology #Biology #Chemistry #Genetics #Mutant #DNA damage #Gene
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.2109093119
openalex publication_date 2022/02/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
The RecQ-like helicase BLM cooperates with topoisomerase IIIα, RMI1, and RMI2 in a heterotetrameric complex (the "Bloom syndrome complex") for dissolution of double Holliday junctions, key intermediates in homologous recombination. Mutations in any component of the Bloom syndrome complex can cause genome instability and a highly cancer-prone disorder called Bloom syndrome. Some heterozygous carriers are also predisposed to breast cancer. To understand how the activities of BLM helicase and topoisomerase IIIα are coupled, we purified the active four-subunit complex. Chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry revealed a unique architecture that links the helicase and topoisomerase domains. Using biochemical experiments, we demonstrated dimerization mediated by the N terminus of BLM with a 2:2:2:2 stoichiometry within the Bloom syndrome complex. We identified mutations that independently abrogate dimerization or association of BLM with RMI1, and we show that both are dysfunctional for dissolution using in vitro assays and cause genome instability and synthetic lethal interactions with GEN1/MUS81 in cells. Truncated BLM can also inhibit the activity of full-length BLM in mixed dimers, suggesting a putative mechanism of dominant-negative action in carriers of BLM truncation alleles. Our results identify critical molecular determinants of Bloom syndrome complex assembly required for double Holliday junction dissolution and maintenance of genome stability.